Some other risers need power on the side where you connect the actual PCI Express card. This one creates 12V even without any SATA power connected, plus the power is connected at the motherboard end. However, for some cards this might not be enough -- just as described: a WiFi card and one SCSI controller worked fine without the additional power; another SCSI controller needed the extra power to work. Uses standard USB 3.0 A-A cable -- tested with breakout boards. Standard, i.e. the SuperSpeed differential pairs are crossed over in the cable. Very happy with the purchase. Thanks! Took 28 days to arrive in CZ. PS: One of the SMD caps was broken off, I had to solder it back. I wouldn't blame this on the seller's packing though -- the package was crammed into our mailbox.